Linear clinching for round cans

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device which allows continuous crimping of an end onto a can of circular section thereby providing the engagement of the end on the can along its whole periphery. This device comprises, on either side of a moving track which conveys the cans, two elongated guides of which one at least is constituted by a moving section of a chain passed in a loop on at least two pinions of which one is a drive pinion, and at least one of the guides being profiled so as at least to contribute to the desired crimping.

May 1, 1973 LINEAR CLINCHING FOR ROUND CANS Inventor:

Claude Del-Frate, Boulogne, France ETS. J. J. Carnaud & Forges DeBasse-Indre, Paris, France Nov. 3, 197 1 Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 16, 1970 France 7040927 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1966 Bofinger et al. ..1 13/262/1969 Wessely ..1 13/30 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,073,7636/1967 Great Britain ..53/333 Primary ExaminerRichard J. HerbstAttorney-Charles E. Brown et al.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT The invention relates to a device which allows continuouscrimping of an end onto a can of circular section thereby providing theengagement of the end on the can along its whole periphery. This devicecomprises, on either side of a moving track which conveys the cans, twoelongated guides of which one at least is constituted by a movingsection of a chain passed in a loop on at least two pinions of which oneis a drive pinion, and at least one of the guides being profiled so asat least to contribute to the desired crimping.

18 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures '1] hhl'l I TILL I l l I Patented May 1,1973 3,730,118

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented May 1, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIII\IIIIT'IIIILlllllll LINEAR CLINCHING FOR ROUND CANS present invention relates ingeneral to the securing of a cover onto the body of a can having acircular cross section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Such securement, commonly referred to asclinching, finds its application primarily but not exclusively inautomatic machines or apparatus which effect peripheral crimping of acover or bottom onto the body of a can having a circular cross sectionpreliminarily filled with a product of some kind, e.g. a food product,etc.

In general such an automatic crimping machine includes a device fordelivery of cans preliminarily filled with the product to be packaged, adevice which delivers the ends and which distributes one end on eachcan, a mechanism that delivers cans and ends to a crimping station, anda crimping station per se.

Each can has formed on its upper edge a flange that projects laterally,and each end has a peripheral rolled edge, with the crimping operationconsisting in folding the rolled edge of an end on the flange or a can,then bending down against the can the rolled and flanged edges that arethus joined.

The can may contain a more or less homogeneous product which is more orless liquid and which does not overflow the can, in which case the enddelivered by the delivery device of the machine rests directly incontact with it, or it may contain a product that extends above the can,immersed in juice or sauce that is more or less liquid, in which casethe lid delivered to the can actually rests on the product, away fromthe can itself.

In either case there are often losses of the product between the momentwhen the full can receives its end or lid and the moment at which thelatter is finally crimped onto the can, as a function namely of natureof the product and more especially of its fluidity or of the fluidity ofat least one of its elements, and also as a function of the nature ofthe machine, especially of its rate of utilization and of the jarringthat it imparts to the cans through change of direction, for example, orof acceleration or braking which may occur, depending upon the movementof translation of such a can.

To reduce these losses it has previously been proposed to effectthecrimping of the end onto the can as soon as the end is set in placeon the can.

This crimping consists in a hooking of the end onto the body of the canby suitable rolling of the rolled edge of the end on the flanged edge ofthe can.

But in the past such a crimping has been effected at only twodiametrically opposite points on the end, which of course reduces thelosses, but it is not always adequate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device forcontinuous crimping of an end onto a can of circular cross section,i.e., the engagement of the end along the whole periphery of the can.

The crimping device of the invention is characterized inthat itcomprises, on either side of a circulating track for the cans, twoelongated guides disposed so as to come into engagement with the end ofa can at two diametrically opposed points on the said end, at least oneof the said guides being formed by a straight section of a chain passedin a loop on at least two pinions of which one is a drive pinion and atleast one of the guides having a profile that is suitable to contributeat least to the desired crimping.

This chain effects a rotation of each can, and thereby a linear advanceof the can, according to a preferred form of embodiment it contributesat least to the rolling of the rolled edge of the end onto the flangededge of the can, for engagement of the end. Through the rotationimparted to the can and the end, this engagement gradually affects thewhole of the periphery of the end.

Preferably, the chain of the device of the invention is formed of asuccession of blocks articulated like the outer links of a roller chain,and each shaped so as at least to contribute to the sought crimpingaction and, conjointly, the second guide associated with such a chain iseither a rigidly fixed bar, shaped so as also to contribute at least tothe crimping, or a straight section of a second chain similar to thefirst but driven in the opposite direction at a different speed from thefirst.

The crimping device of the invention allows engagement of the end of thecan along the whole of its periphery as soon as the said end is placedon the can. The crimping device is therefore capable of reducing to aminimum or even eliminating the losses of the product which occur in thecase of cans moved in a machine or automatic crimping apparatus, itbeing understood however that the application of this crimping device isnot limited to such facilities or machines, and that the advantagesresulting from it are not limited to those due to reduction orelimination of the aforementioned losses.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become evidentfrom the following description, given as example, with reference to theattached schematic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the crimping device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of the device,with a part of the can broken away, taken along line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through one of thecrimping blocks used in this device;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, on the same scale as FIG. 3,through a can and its end;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the same scale as FIGS. 3 and4, showing the action of the crimping block on the end and can;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view somewhat similar to FIG. 2 but ona smaller scale and shows the regulation of the crimping device as afunction of the diameter of the can;

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 and shows a modified form ofcrimping device.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, it will be seenthat a crimping device according to the invention includes two elongatedguides 10A, 10B disposed parallel to each other on either side of acirculating track 11 which carries cans 13 at a height that allows themto come into engagement with ends 12 placed on the cans 13: the saidcans 13 being cylindrical cans of circular cross section which are to beclosed.

As best seen in FIG. 4, a can 13 presents at its upper part a flangededge 15 which projects laterally, and the associated end or lid 12,which rests on said flange 15, presents peripherally a rolled edge 16whose rolling is to be continued until there is interlocked engagementwith the flange 15 of the can 13.

In the illustrated example, the circulating track 11 has cleats 17 whichare capable of thrusting cans 13 as indicated by arrows 19 of FIG. 1.

According to the invention, elongated guide 10A is formed by a straightsection of a chain 20 which is passed in a loop determined on the onehand by two return pinions 21, and on the other hand on a drive pinion22 rotatably driven by a drive unit 23.

The chain 20 is in the form of a succession of blocks 24 which aresuccessively articulated like the outer links of a roller chain, eachblock 24 having dimensions such that the blocks 24 become contiguous toone another along each straight section of chain 20, especially alongstraight section 10A thereof.

Such block 24, or crimping block, is illustrated in section in FIG. 2.In this figure, numeral 25 designates a pin by which a block 24 isarticulated with links 26, 26 which provide for the connection of theblock with an adjacent block 24. A roller 27 is engaged on the pin 25between the links 26, 26' within a recess 28 in block 24 in question.

In the illustrated example, chain 20 has associated with it a rigid bar30 which presents on the one hand an angle piece 31 for supporting thechain of blocks along its straight section 10A and on the other hand arib 32 for lateral counterthrust of the chain along the same section 10Aat the level of rollers 27 for the rolling of the chain 20.

On its working face, each crimping block 24 presents a profile 35 whichis suitable for effecting or contributing to the desired crimping. Thisprofile 35 is best seen in FIG. 3 and is a standard profile of aconventional crimping wheel. In short, such a profile presents a roundedindentation 36 which matches the rolled edge 16 ofan end 12.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the elongated guide 108 is formedby a fixed rigid bar which has a first section 40 disposed slightlyoblique with respect to the straight section 10A of the crimping chain20 and gradually approaching the latter, and a second section 41 whichis parallel to the straight section of the crimping chain 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, this bar or guide 1013 presents on its work face aprofile 42 which is symmetrical to the profile 35 of crimping blocks 24with reference to the median vertical plane of the circulating track 11.

Finally, in the illustrated example, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, twoguides 45A, 45B are additionally provided above th circulating track 11,but near it, for guiding the bases of the cans 13.

As is readily understandable, cleats 17 push cans 13 until they areintroduced into the crimping device of the invention. This introductionis advantageously gradual because of the obliquity of the first section40 of. the bar or guide 10B.

As soon as a can 13 enters into the crimping device of the invention,the can is set into rotation by chain 20 which, by the can rollingagainst bar 10B, also leads to a movement in translation of such can 13.

Preferably the linear speed of chain 20 is selected so that the speed oftranslation thus imparted to cans 13 is greater than the speed oftranslation previously effected by cleats 17, so that cans 13 lose allcontact with the cleats as soon as they start to rotate: thisarrangement avoids any friction of the cans 13 against cleats 17 duringthe rotation thereof.

The separation between straight section 10A of chain 20 and the obliquesection 40 of bar 10B at the entrance end of the bar corresponds to theinitial diameter of ends 12, and the separation between straight section10A of chain 20 and the parallel section 41 of bar 10B corresponds tothe diameter of the ends after their engagement with the cans.

This engagement is insured jointly by blocks 24 of chain 20 and sections40, 41 of bar 1013. It is effected by the gradual continuation of therolling of rolled edge 16 of lids 12, as shown in FIG. 5. This rollingis effected gradually at first because of the obliquity of section 40 ofbar 1013: the length of this section is such preferably as to give aroll on more than half the perimeter of the lid. Section 41 whichfollows insures the smoothing of the formed roll, its length correspondspreferably to substantially half the perimeter of a lid.

According to FIG. 6, bar 10B is supported by an angle element 50 bymeans of bolts 51 which allow the shifting of this bar perpendicularlyto track 11. This allows for an adaptation of the crimping device of theinvention to cans of different diameters.

In order that this adjustment may be made in equal amounts on eitherside of the longitudinal plane of symmetry of track 11, bar 30 whichguides chain 20 and angle element 50 that carries bar 108 are screwed onstays 52 which present threaded sections with opposite pitch. Thus, itis readily understood that manipulation of the stays 52 effects theconjugated approach or separation of section 10A of chain 20 and bar10B.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, two chains 20A, 20B of thetype described above are disposed on either side of track 11, for thedesired crimping.

Chian 20B is driven in the direction opposite to that of chain 20A, at aspeed which is less than that of chain 20A, so that cans 13 which aretreated maintain a linear speed of motion on track 11.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments thathave been described and illustrated, but encompasses othermodifications. Particularly, chain 20 could serve solely for drivingcans 13, the crimping then being effected only by guide 10B associatedwith the chain.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the application of the crimping device ofthe invention is not limited to the engagement of an end on a can incrimping machines for reduction of loss of contents of such a can, butit extends to any case in which such engagement is useful or desirable.

I claim:

1. A device for the continuous crimping of an end on a can body, saiddevice comprising means for moving a can body along a predeterminedpath, opposed guides on opposite sides of said path at an elevation forengaging ends carried by can bodies moving along said path for engagingcan bodies and ends positioned thereon at diametrically opposite pointspoints thereon, at least one of said guides comprising a moving sectionof an endless articulated member mounted for movement in a loop about atleast two supports one of which is a drive means for said articulatedmember, said articulated member forming can rotation means for rotatingcans as the cans move along said path between said guides, and at leastone of said guides having a configuration to at least partially effect acrimping of ends on can bodies.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said articulated member is inthe form of a chain formed in part by a succession of profiled blocks.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said blocks are of a size to becontiguous along said moving section to provide a substantiallycontinuous can engaging surface along said straight section.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the other of said guides isin the form of a fixed rigid bar.

5. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the other of said guides isin the form of a fixed rigid bar having two sections, said sectionsincluding a first section disposed slightly oblique to and convergingwith said moving section, and a second section disposed substantiallyparallel to said moving section.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said second guide has saidconfiguraiion to at least partialy effect a crimping of ends on canbodies.

7. A device according to claim 2 wherein the other of said guides isformed by a moving straight section of a chain of a construction similarto said first mentioned chain, and means moving said other guidestraight section in a direction opposite to and at a speed differentfrom that of said first mentioned chain straight section.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the other of said guides isin the form of a fixed rigid bar having two sections, said sectionsincluding a first section disposed slightly oblique to and convergingwith said moving section, and a second section disposed substantiallyparallel to said moving section.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said second guide has saidconfiguration to at least partially effect a crimping of ends on canbodies.

10. A device according to claim 8 wherein both said articulated memberand said rigid bar have said configuration to at least partially effecta crimping of ends on can bodies.

11. A device according to claim 1 together with a fixed memberassociated with said articulated member moving straight section andsupporting the same.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said articulated member is inthe form of a chain formed in part by a succession in profiled blocksand including rollers, and a fixed member associated with saidarticulated member moving straight section and including a back-up guideengageable by said rollers and operable to counter thrusts thereon.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein said fixed member has aportion underlying said moving straight section and supporting the sameagainst downward movement.

14. A device according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving canbodies along a predetermined path includes a cleated conveyor, and saidmoving section imparts to a can engaged thereby a linear speed alongsaid path greater than the speed of advance of said cleated conveyor.

. A device according to claim 1 wherein said path is defined by twofixed supplementary guides on opposite sides of said path and above saidmoving means,

16. A device according to claim 1 together with means for adjusting thespacing between said guides.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said adjusting means includes meansfor simultaneously moving said guides in opposite directions at the samerate to retain said guides centered relative to said path.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein said adjusting means includes meansfor simultaneously moving said guides in opposite directions at the samerate to retain said guides centered relative to said path, and othermeans for individually adjusting at least one of said guides.

1. A device for the continuous crimping of an end on a can body, saiddevice comprising means for moving a can body along a predeterminedpath, opposed guides on opposite sides of said path at an elevation forengaging ends carried by can bodies moving along said path for engagingcan bodies and ends positioned thereon at diametrically opposite pointspoints thereon, at least one of said guides comprising a moving sectionof an endless articulated member mounted for movement in a loop about atleast two supports one of which is a drive means for said articulatedmember, said articulated member forming can rotation means for rotatingcans as the cans move along said path between said guides, and at leastone of said guides having a configuration to at least partially effect acrimping of ends on can bodies.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1wherein said articulated member is in the form of a chain formed in partby a succession of profiled blocks.
 3. The device of claim 2 whereinsaid blocks are of a size to be contiguous along said moving section toprovide a substantially continuous can engaging surface along saidstraight section.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the otherof said guides is in the form of a fixed rigid bar.
 5. The device asclaimed in claim 3 wherein the other of said guides is in the form of afixed rigid bar having two sections, said sections including a firstsection disposed slightly oblique to and converging with said movingsection, and a second section disposed substantially parallel to saidmoving section.
 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said secondguide has said configuraiion to at least partialy effect a crimping ofends on can bodies.
 7. A device according to claim 2 wherein the otherof said guides is formed by a moving straight section of a chain of aconstruction similar to said first mentioned chain, and means movingsaid other guide straight section in a direction opposite to and at aspeed different from that of said first mentioned chain straightsection.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the other of saidguides is in the form of a fixed rigid bar having two sections, saidsections including a first section disposed slightly oblique to andconverging with said moving section, and a second section disposedsubstantially parallel to said movIng section.
 9. A device according toclaim 8 wherein said second guide has said configuration to at leastpartially effect a crimping of ends on can bodies.
 10. A deviceaccording to claim 8 wherein both said articulated member and said rigidbar have said configuration to at least partially effect a crimping ofends on can bodies.
 11. A device according to claim 1 together with afixed member associated with said articulated member moving straightsection and supporting the same.
 12. A device as claimed in claim 1wherein said articulated member is in the form of a chain formed in partby a succession in profiled blocks and including rollers, and a fixedmember associated with said articulated member moving straight sectionand including a back-up guide engageable by said rollers and operable tocounter thrusts thereon.
 13. A device according to claim 12 wherein saidfixed member has a portion underlying said moving straight section andsupporting the same against downward movement.
 14. A device according toclaim 1 wherein said means for moving can bodies along a predeterminedpath includes a cleated conveyor, and said moving section imparts to acan engaged thereby a linear speed along said path greater than thespeed of advance of said cleated conveyor.
 15. A device according toclaim 1 wherein said path is defined by two fixed supplementary guideson opposite sides of said path and above said moving means,
 16. A deviceaccording to claim 1 together with means for adjusting the spacingbetween said guides.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein said adjustingmeans includes means for simultaneously moving said guides in oppositedirections at the same rate to retain said guides centered relative tosaid path.
 18. The device of claim 16 wherein said adjusting meansincludes means for simultaneously moving said guides in oppositedirections at the same rate to retain said guides centered relative tosaid path, and other means for individually adjusting at least one ofsaid guides.